Yet again, I am grateful for Hallmark’s dedication to bringing its viewers not only the best quality TV movies possible–especially at Christmas–but I always say that they find the “cream of the crop” young actors. And it just so happens that Payton Lepinski, young though she is, has been making movies for a couple of years now. I saw her first-ever movie, her Hallmark movie last year, and now, I am greatly anticipating her upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie, Holiday Hearts. Recently, Payton and I had a brief chat about her career so far, and I’m thrilled to share it with my readers today!
RH: Please tell us how old you were when you decided to begin working as an actress and why you decided to do start acting at such a young age.
as JonBenét
PL: I started doing background at the age of five and really enjoyed being on set and someone told me I should get a principal agent, so I did. I started acting at a young age because I love talking to people and I love to pretend to be a different character.
Who Killed JonBenét?
Your first role was as JonBenét Ramsey in the Lifetime movie Who Killed JonBenét? What was the audition process for that role? What are your memories from set? What was it like playing such a famous person who had died so young?
I just went for the audition and got a callback and then I got the role. I just remember that everyone was so nice to me. It was kinda hard because it was my first role and I was five years old. My favorite part was doing the photoshoot with all different outfits. I felt like it was a little creepy, but I didn’t really understand what had happened to her.
Overboard
Last year, you were in the movie Overboard. What was it like working on this feature film? Any special memories from behind-the-scenes?
Overboard Premiere
It was so much fun on this one. Ana Faris was so amazing to work with every time she pulled up on set, we would have a dance party. My sisters in the movie were so nice and great role models. We are friends to this day. It was also really cool being on a yacht. A special moment from behind-the-scenes was that we all had fruit nicknames. My parents nicknamed me “Peaches,” so while on set everyone called me Peaches and we gave everyone else a nickname too!
Hallmark viewers were introduced you to during the Christmas movie Welcome To Christmas last year. What did you know about Hallmark before making that movie? What was that first film with the network like for you? What was it like working with your co-stars?
Welcome To Christmas
I loved watching Hallmark movies with my mom, snuggling up on the couch drinking hot chocolate at Christmas time. This first Hallmark was pretty cool. There was fake snow everywhere and we got to go to Revelstoke. Jennifer {Finnigan} and Eric {Mabius} were really great to work with. My sister on set, Lauren {McNamara}, and I had a special handshake. We all had so much fun!
Ashley Williams, Payton Lepinski, Paul Campbell Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss
You are coming back to Hallmark this year in the movie Holiday Hearts with Paul Campbell and Ashley Williams. What can you tell us about your character and how it relates to the overall story? What did you enjoy about filming this movie? Do you have a favorite scene?
My character kinda pushes them together by asking Peyton {Ashley Williams, character} to help out with all of the Christmas traditions. I enjoyed being on set with all these great people and learning a lot from them. They were all so kind to me. Paul and I had a special handshake. My favorite scenes were when we were making cookies, and when I got to pet the horse.
Any other upcoming/current works you can mention?
Nothing yet
Payton Lepinski, Ashley Williams Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss
How does school work for you when you’re on set?
I get a set teacher and we go to a set classroom either a trailer or room and we do school. I have been lucky because all of my teachers have been a lot of fun.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not acting or doing schoolwork?
I like to play with my friends and do gymnastics, ride bikes “you know, kids stuff.”
How have the adults in your life protected you from negative influences from the film/TV world and from society in general?
I haven’t come across anything negative. My parents are great and always look out for me.
Thank you so much for having me today!
It is unquestionably indisputable that Payton possesses the innate capabilities to thrive in this business, and though her parents are particularly active in guaranteeing that she is kept from negativity and harm, I would venture to say that Payton is wise beyond her years. She still finds the time to be a typical kid, but then she also has savored these amazing experiences of being in a few films that have brought her wide acclaim as well as memorable adventures. While her career is still essentially at its inception, I tend to think that her career is only going to continue its steady upswing as the years go by as long as she remains as grounded and as pragmatic as she is now.
Please make every effort to tune into Hallmark Movies & Mysteries for the premiere tomorrow night (November 23rd) of her new movie Holiday Hearts (November 24th on the W Network). Moreover, while you are making plans to not miss a moment of what is purported to be one of the most highly-anticipated films of the season, be sure that you visit her links below and check out some of her previous works if you haven’t had the opportunity before. It is always a joyous time to recognize yet another positive, skilled, sweet young entertainer such as Payton, and I can hardly wait to see what the future holds for her!
FOLLOW PAYTON
